Known karate expert and actor Shihan Hussaini passed away following a brief battle with leukemia. He was 60. The actor's family confirmed the news and stated that his mortal remains will be kept at his home in Besant Nagar, the High Command, till afternoon for his students and others to pay their last respects. "As per the doctors advice, HU's mortal body will leave from his house at 2pm and his final ritual will be done today at 4pm in the Royapettah Ameerunisa Burial ground, Chennai," the family wrote.
"Whoever is coming to HU’s house to see his mortal remains, please come in your uniform (any colour is fine), if possible come with your bow and arrow to shoot a few arrows… All archers will shoot a few arrows at 5 pm where HU will be administering the shooting through his mortal body. All karatekas, at 3 pm assemble with your Gi and you will perform katas, where HU will administer through his mortal body,” they further requested.
Hussaini has been active on his social media handles, sharing his battle with blood cancer and the treatments that were provided by the doctors to him. The Tamil Nadu government provided a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for his treatment. But according to reports, his condition worsened and Hussaini passed away at around 1.45 am on Tuesday. In the days that led to his death, he announced that his decision to donate his body for medical research.
The actor who made his debut with Kamal Haasan's Punnagai Mannan in 1986, went on to star in several movies including Unnai Solli Kutramillai, Velaikaran, Badri, where he played Vijay's karate coach, Vedan, Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal and Chennai City Gangsters, which is awaiting release. He also starred in the Hollywood film Bloodstone, featuring Rajinikanth.
Besides his acting journey, Hussaini was also judge and a presenter for TV shows. Also a professional archer, he founded The Archery Association of Tamil Nadu (TAAT) and also served as its general secretary for several years. TAAT also mourned his passing, with spokesperson Ashwin Kumar Iyer sharing a statement on the same. Hussaini was also a sculptor, painter who was an inspiration to hundreds of young minds in taking up martial arts and archery.
He has also trained actor Pawan Kalyan. Prior to his death, he recorded a video placing a request for actor-politicians Vijay and Pawan Kalyan. "I will only be alive for a few more days.. When I found out that I had cancer, all my friends called me and asked me for crowdfunding. I told them that I couldn't do that. I have decided to sell the place where I teach karate. Pawan Kalyan came here and learned karate. So he should buy this place. Similarly, I have a request to Vijay. He should create an archer for every household in Tamil Nadu," he said.
Hussaini is survived by his wife and daughter.
